Excessive nitrogen can result in storage rots, causing yield losses during storage. It can also weaken plant tissues, increasing susceptibility to cold damage. Balanced crop nutrition can help to reduce storage rot by promoting healthy plants.
Later applications of nitrogen are the main cause of increased incidence of thick necks and rot in storage as well as for delayed maturity.
Calcium helps to improve tolerance to diseases. In association with magnesium, onion crops with high levels of calcium in the bulbs show less storage rots.
Calcium nitrate has been proven to be the most effective formulation in ensuring minimal onion rot in storage. It is important that Ca and K are in balance.
Boron helps to improve calcium uptake and bulb quality. Research shows that a boron supply can reduce onion rotting during storage. This effect is associated with the micronutrient’s role in improving calcium accumulation in the bulb.
